Storage rack

ABSTRACT

A rack for supporting and storing generally rectangular objects such as record jackets, boxes for audio tapes, and the like. The rack includes a generally rectangular base for supporting the cartons in a generally flat position, and a pair of elongated legs or braces extending angularly upwardly from a pair of corners of the base. The legs are generally L-shaped in transverse cross section, providing side and end walls for confining the cartons on the base. The rack may be tilted to bring the legs into a generally horizontal position in which the cartons are supported on end primarily by the end walls, and in this position the cartons can be rotated downwardly individually to permit inspection and selection of each carton.

United States Patent Irion, III [451 Apr. 18, 1972 s41 STORAGE RACK v 3,258,126 6/1966 Erey ..211/40 [72] Inventor: galley]: 3l2rion, III, 5605 Lakeside, Primary Examiner Nile C. Byers, In

Attorney-Dawson, Tiiton, Fallon & Lungmus 22 Filed: Au .31 1970 1 1 g 57 ABSTRACT [21] App]. No.: 68,143

A rack for supporting and storing generally rectangular objects such as record jackets, boxes for audio tapes, and the /40 like. The rack includes a generally rectangular base for sup- [51] int. Cl ..A47g29/00 porting the cartons in a generally flat position, and a pair of [58] Field 01 Search ..2l 1/40, 45, 49, 50 elongated legs or braces extending angularly upwardly from a pair of corners of the base. The legs are generally L-shaped in 5 R f n Cited transverse cross section, providing side and end walls for con- I fining the cartons on the base. The rack may be tilted to bring UNITED STATES PATENTS the legs into a generally horizontal position in which the cartons are supported on end primarily by the end walls, and in 0114537 5/1939 Hell this position the cartons can be rotated downwardly inggfii dividually to permit inspection and selection of each carton. Gallia ..204/81 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR 18 I972 3,656,629

INVEN 10R WILLIAM M. IRION H1 STORAGE RACK BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY This invention relates to a storage rack, and more particularly, to a storage rack which is movable between two positions for storing and selecting the objects supported by the rack.

Certain generally flat objects such as records, reels of audio tapes, etc. are preferably stored in a flat condition so that the objects are supported in a stable position and the weight of a stack of the objects is evenly distributed over the surface of each object rather than having each object stand on edge. However, the objects should besupported in such a manner that each individual object may readily be selected and withdrawn from the stack.

The inventive rack supports the objects in a stable, generally flat position when they are not being used. When it is desired to select a particular object from the stack, the rack may be tilted to bring the objects into a substantially edge-supported position wherein each object may be readily examined individually. As each object is examined, it is permitted to rotate downwardly to expose the face of the next object. After the desired objects are selected, the rack may be returned to its original storage position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rack in position to permit examination and selection of individual record jacketswhich are supported by the rack;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rack in the storage positron;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the rack;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the rack in the position illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view showing the rack in the storage position.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, the numeral designates generally a rack which, in the particular embodiment illustrated, is supporting a plurality of record jackets 11 containing conventional phonograph records. The rack lflincludes a generally planar, generally rectangular base 12 having a flat upper supporting surface 13 and a lower surface 14. The rectangular base provides front and rear edges 15 and 16 and opposite side edges 17 and 18, and a generally trapezoidally shaped leg 19 extends downwardly from the lower surface of the base adjacent the front edge 15. The leg 19 may be reinforced by a brace 20 which is secured to the leg and the lower surface of the base.

A pair of elongated legs or braces 21 and 22 are secured to the base adjacent the rear corners thereof and extend upwardly therefrom. Each of the legs is seen to be generally L- shaped in transverse cross section, and the leg 21 includes a ledge portion 23 having a flat supporting surface 24 and a side wall portion 25 having a flat inner surface 26. The leg 22 is similarly shaped and includes a flat ledge portion 27 extending toward the ledge portion 23 and a side wall portion 28 having a flat inner surface. The ledge portions 23 and 27 extend upwardly from the rear edge 16 of the base, and the side walls 25 and 28 extend upwardly from the side edges 17 and 18. The side walls also extend below the lower surface of the base to provide base-supporting portions 25a and 28a.

The length of the base-supporting leg 19 and the leg portions 25a and 280 are such that the supporting surface 13 of the base is supported at an angle from the horizontal when these legs are supported by a horizontal surface. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the upper surface 13 extends at an angle a of about 20 from the surface on which the racks rests when it is positioned as shown in H65. 2 and 5. In this position, the record jackets 11 or other objects to be stored are supported primarily by the base in a substantially flat condition, although some of the weight is supported by the ledge portions 23 and 27 of the legs 21 and 22. The base is substantially co-extensive with the record jackets, and the jackets are retained on the base by the legs, the ledge portions serving as end walls to prevent downward sliding movement. The records may thus be stacked securely one on another with two corners of each jacket being received by the comers of the L- shaped legs. The supporting surfaces of the ledge portions of the legs are seen to extend substantially perpendicular to the base 12, and the included angle B defined by the supporting surfaces of the ledge portions and the supporting surface of the base is preferably about 90. In the particular embodiment illustrated, this included angle is 90.

When it is desired to select one or more of the records from the stack, the rack can be tilted about the rear corners 21a and 22a of the legs 21 and 22, respectively, to rotate the base 12 upwardly until the legs 21 and 22 rest on the surface supporting the rack, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Since the stack is supported by the base in a slightly inclined position, the center of gravity of the stack is relatively close to a vertical plane extending through the rear comers, and the stack may be rotated throughthis plane relatively easily. Further, the legs 21 and 22 may be used as lever arms to move the rack. When the rack is in the second position, the ledge portions 23 and 27 extend generally horizontally, and the supporting surface 13 of the base extends substantially vertically. In this position, the records are edgewise supported by the support surfaces of the ledge portions, which serve as a secondary support base.

When the rack is in the alternate position, the face of each record jacket can readily be examined as shown in FIG. 1, after which the record jacket can be rotated downwardly away from the base. One hand can be used to flip through and select individual records while the other hand supports those record jackets which have already been examined. If the rack is not too full, record jackets which have been examined may be supported in a flat condition by the ledge portions 23 and 27. The records are always maintained between the side walls 25 and 28, and the stack can be maintained in an orderly condition as each record is examined.

After the records have been examined, the rack can be rotated to its original position for storing the records in the desired, substantially flat position.

I have found it desirable to provide a slight inclination to the supporting surface 13 of the base when it is in the storage position shown in FIG. 5, and, although in the particular embodiment illustrated the angle of inclination was about 20, this angle can vary from about 0 to about 30 or more. The slight inclination is advantageous in providing a force component which resists any tendency of the records to move away from the confining legs 21 and 22. However, when the angle of the supporting surface 13 substantially exceeds 30, the articles are no longer supported by the base in the desired substan tially flat position, and the stack may become unstable if it becomes too high.

The included angle B between the supporting surfaces of the base and of the legs can vary from about to about or more. It is desirable that this angle be about 90 so that the records are stacked evenly one on top of the other when the rack is in the first position illustrated in FIG. 5. However, an included angle of slightly more than 90 might be desirable to provide stability for the records when the rack is in the second position'illustrated in FIG. 4. The records would then be supported at a slight incline from the vertical, and would not need to be supported by a hand.

Although I have described the invention in conjunction with record jackets, it will be understood that the rack can be used for many different types of objects. The rack has particular utility for use with substantially flat objects which may advantageously be stored in a substantially flat condition and which are generally rectangular in shape, or at least have portions which can be received and confined in the L-shaped legs. For example, the rack can be used to store cartons containing reels of magnetic recording tape, reels of film, or other substantially flat and substantially rectangular objects.

In the particular embodiment illustrated the secondary supporting surface provided by the ledge portions 23 and 27 was interrupted by providing two separate legs 21 and 22. Since the rack will normally be stored in the FIG. 5 position, I have found that it is generally unnecessary to provide a secondary supporting surface which is coextensive with the objects being supported. If desired, however, the ledge portions could extend along the entire length of the rear edge 16 of the base to provide a single end wall.

While in the foregoing specification, a detailed description of a specific embodiment of my invention was set forth for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that many of the details hereingiven may be varied considerably by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

lclaim:

l. A rack comprising a base having a generally flat upper supporting surface and a lower surface, a pair of spaced-apart elongated legs secured to the base, each of the legs being generally L-shaped in transverse cross section and having a ledge portion and a side portion, each of the ledge portions having a generally flat supporting surface extending at an angle to the supporting surface of the base of about 90 to about 1 the rack being tiltable between a first position in which the base engages the surface supporting the rack and a second position in which the ledge portions of the legs engage the surface supporting the rack whereby a plurality of generally fiat objects supported by the supporting surface of the base when the rack is in the first position may be rotated upwardly to an inclined position in which the objects are supported by the supporting surfaces of the ledge portions.

2. The rack of claim 1 including a support leg secured to the base and extending below the lower surface thereof to raise the supporting surface of the base at an angle of from about 0 to about 30 from the horizontal.

3. The rack of claim 1 in which the sides of the legs extend beyond the lower surface of the base to support the lower surface above the surface on which the rack rests when in the first position.

4. A rack comprising a generally planar base having a generally flat upper supporting surface and a lower surface and front, rear and opposite side edges, a base support leg extending from the lower surface of the base adjacent the front edge thereof, a pair of elongated spaced-apart legs extending from the base adjacent the rear edge thereof, each of the elongated legs being generally L-shaped in transverse cross section and having a ledge portion having a generally flat supporting surface and a side wall portion extending generally perpendicularly to the flat supporting surface of the ledge portion, the supporting surfaces of the elongated legs extending generally parallel and defining with the supporting surface of the base an included angle of from about to about the rack being tiltable about a point adjacent the rear edge of the base between a first position in which the base support leg supports the supporting surface of the base at an angle from the horizontal between 0 and about 20, and a second position in which the supporting surfaces of the elongated legs extend substantially horizontally whereby a plurality of generally flat objects supported by the upper surface of the base when the rack is in the first position may be rotated upwardly to an inclined position in which the objects are supported by the supporting surfaces of the legs and from which the objects may be individually rotated downwardly toward the legs. 

1. A rack comprising a base having a generally flat upper supporting surface and a lower surface, a pair of spaced-apart elongated legs secured to the base, each of the legs being generally L-shaped in transverse cross section and having a ledge portion and a side portion, each of the ledge portions having a generally flat supporting surface extending at an angle to the supporting surface of the base of about 90* to about 110*, the rack being tiltable between a first position in which the base engages the surface supporting the rack and a second position in which the ledge portions of the legs engage the surface supporting the rack whereby a plurality of generally flat objects supported by the supporting surface of the base when the rack is in the first position may be rotated upwardly to an inclined position in which the objects are supported by the supporting surfaces of the ledge portions.
 2. The rack of claim 1 including a support leg secured to the base and extending below the lower surface thereof to raise the supporting surface of the base at an angle of from about 0* to about 30* from the horizontal.
 3. The rack of claim 1 in which the sides of the legs extend beyond the lower surface of the base to support the lower surface above the surface on which the rack rests when in the first position.
 4. A rack comprising a generally planar base having a generally flat upper supporting surface and a lower surface and front, rear And opposite side edges, a base support leg extending from the lower surface of the base adjacent the front edge thereof, a pair of elongated spaced-apart legs extending from the base adjacent the rear edge thereof, each of the elongated legs being generally L-shaped in transverse cross section and having a ledge portion having a generally flat supporting surface and a side wall portion extending generally perpendicularly to the flat supporting surface of the ledge portion, the supporting surfaces of the elongated legs extending generally parallel and defining with the supporting surface of the base an included angle of from about 90* to about 110*, the rack being tiltable about a point adjacent the rear edge of the base between a first position in which the base support leg supports the supporting surface of the base at an angle from the horizontal between 0* and about 20*, and a second position in which the supporting surfaces of the elongated legs extend substantially horizontally whereby a plurality of generally flat objects supported by the upper surface of the base when the rack is in the first position may be rotated upwardly to an inclined position in which the objects are supported by the supporting surfaces of the legs and from which the objects may be individually rotated downwardly toward the legs. 